Christopher:

>In the theatre, fortunately - provided they've gone off stage as
>directed before that last note - it's mercifully hard for Rodolfo and
>Mimi to indulge in such bad, old gramophone recording habits without
>getting totally out of sync with the band. Puccini, as ever, knew
>precisely what he wanted, and what he was doing!

Did not know that; my only two recordings have that note dragged out
lonnngggg.  And in this production, the singers were indeed off stage
at that moment.  Thanks for this good info.

Mitch Friedfeld